Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a concept that was unknown to the general public until recently. I had to look at the information on the Internet for a very long time and carefully, since it was almost impossible to understand in any other way what this direction was. However, at the present stage, it has become much easier to find out what ASMR is. And it is precisely this direction that will be discussed in the review.
What are we talking about?
Every person has their own reaction to the world around us. Some people are highly sensitive to smells, while others are irritated by loud sounds or bright lights. Some are able to faint at the sight of a drop of blood, while others will lose their temper at the sound of grinding. This is how external stimuli affect the human psyche.
Many people have experienced the pleasure of sound or touch at least once in their lives. Such feelings cannot be controlled; they are very much reminiscent of the sensations experienced while listening to your favorite musical composition or watching a good movie.
People have the expression “goosebumps.” It should be understood as a slight tingling sensation, as if hundreds of insects quickly begin to crawl across the skin. But don’t confuse such goosebumps with those that arise when entering cold water when the body suddenly cools down. The first case, unlike the second, is closely related to pleasure.
Occurrence of the phenomenon
Psychiatrists have not studied this phenomenon sufficiently. Moreover, many scientists even doubt that it exists. However, Internet users became interested in it.
In 2010 in social network Jennifer Allen created a group dedicated to studying this effect. As a result, the acronym ASMR appeared. What is it and what can you do about it? The abbreviation should be understood as those pleasant sensations that the body begins to experience under the influence external stimuli.
The condition can arise at the most unexpected moment. And it can be caused by whispering, rustling papers, a pen, tapping on some material, stroking, etc. Some people may react to the timbre of their voice or the sound of a musical instrument.
It is common for women to experience ASMR during stroking. However, this reaction should not be confused with sexual arousal. These concepts have nothing in common. By its nature, the meridional reaction is more reminiscent of meditation.
Varieties of meridional reaction
What is ASMR? These are sensations in which pleasant goosebumps begin to appear in the occipital region. Subsequently, they spread in waves throughout the body. At the same time, your mood will noticeably improve, stress will decrease, and some will even be able to fall asleep.
For some, such sensations are brought only by sound stimuli. There are also people who are able to independently cause “goosebumps” by remembering pleasant moments. At least to sexual arousal the meridional reaction has nothing to do with it; some people, under its influence, begin to experience far from platonic sensations.
It is worth highlighting one interesting fact. Not everyone is affected equally by ASMR. There are users who are indifferent to the phenomenon, while others are only annoyed by such manipulations. It is impossible to say how many such people there are. Only scientists can report this when they finally find time to study such an interesting phenomenon.
Brief dictionary
- Goosebumps are a tingling, gentle tickling sensation that forms in the head area, gradually spreading throughout the body.
- A trigger is a stimulus, an irritant that can cause goosebumps. Sounds or videos are recorded using professional equipment, which will give volume to the sound, which only enhances the effect.
- ASMR artist is a person who publishes videos. There are people who just make sounds. However, bloggers who put on a whole performance are especially popular.
- ASMR role-playing game is a kind of show that an artist can put on. The most popular images are of doctors, massage therapists, and hairdressers speaking in a gentle whisper.
Trigger groups
Irritants (triggers) can be divided into several fairly large groups.
- Sounds. We are talking about whispering, soft speech, tapping, rustling of paper or plastic, etc. The sounds can be very different, including slurping.
- Visual manipulations. “Goosebumps” can be caused by the play of shadows, repeated movements, any video recordings, professional acting, etc.
- Complex experiences. This group implies that the person is in the center special attention, increased care. He is influenced by both auditory and visual manipulations. That is why videos with elements of role-playing games, where actors play the role of doctors, massage therapists, stylists, etc., have become very popular. The necessary sensations also arise due to a kind of ritual, when the viewer watches a logical, measured and slightly mysterious action.
It should be noted that not all stimuli affect people to the same extent. Some people can be “hooked” by a quiet voice, others prefer tapping, and others would prefer to watch some games. But this is understandable, because we are all different.
Artists
When talking about what ASMR is, one cannot fail to mention artists. Over the past few years, many video bloggers have appeared who specialize in this effect. The interesting fact is that they are predominantly girls, regardless of the fact that the audience consists of both men and women.
The reason for this is most likely to be found in culture. It is generally accepted that it is mainly the fair sex who should take care of the comfort and pleasant atmosphere. But perhaps over time the number of men specializing in the meridional reaction will increase.
Why is this necessary?
People who constantly watch videos say that with their help they can take their minds off problems, calm the nervous system, and relax. In addition, the ASMR effect helps to cope with insomnia. For some, the actions of triggers resemble a feeling of euphoria, while others compare the effect to a brain orgasm (breugasm). And no one will argue that it is very pleasant.
What is ASMR and how does it help relieve anxiety? The answer to the first part has already been provided. We should talk about how to get rid of anxiety and other negative aspects using this phenomenon.
The effect has its own “indications for use”. It is not recommended to watch videos in a hectic environment. For example, if children and relatives are constantly screaming, then it is better to give up ASMR. “Brain orgasm” can only be achieved if there is no one in the room except the listener.
What to choose - speakers or headphones? Headphones are best for watching ASMR videos. They will help you completely immerse yourself in the atmosphere that the video blogger is trying to create. In addition, it is the headphones that will create the effect in which you can feel that someone is saying pleasant words. This cannot be achieved with speakers.
Negative points
What else can be said about the ASMR phenomenon? This hobby, to some extent, may resemble fetishism. However, there are other nuances that you need to be aware of if you plan to watch videos.
Firstly, not all actors and actresses are professionals. Some may look stupid, which spoils the attitude towards the meridional reaction as a whole.
Secondly, not all bloggers are equally honest. Someone may promote NLP instead of ASMR, trying to hypnotize the viewer, drive him into a trance state in order to achieve some of his own selfish goals.
Thirdly, this type of art can cause far from pleasant sensations. After all, as mentioned above, not all people are able to feel the effect of ASMR videos. In such a situation, you just need to turn off the video and try to find another way to relax.
Conclusion
Thanks to professional ASMR artists, this direction can be considered a new type of art that arose at the intersection of the technical environment and practically unexplored areas of neurobiology.
Brainasm can bring both a feeling of satisfaction and a feeling of genuine happiness. Perhaps in the near future absolutely everyone will be able to experience it, but at the present stage this phenomenon has been studied only to a small extent. We hope this review helped you understand what ASMR is.
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a term coined in 2010 to describe the specific sensations a person experiences in the back of the head in response to certain sensory triggers. Some simpler names include “brain orgasm” and “braingasm,” but sex has nothing to do with it. What is ASMR, why is it called a brain orgasm, what causes these sensations and is everyone capable of experiencing them?
ASMR is a little-studied perception phenomenon
On the Internet you can google a whole bunch of ASMR videos that have nothing to do with sex, but allow certain people to experience pleasant sensations in the back of the head, down the back, and sometimes in the arms and legs. Such pleasant goosebumps are similar to an orgasm that occurs in the occipital region in response to certain triggers, for example:
- whisper;
- certain features of the voice;
- viewing lectures;
- watching a person perform some action (for example, rummaging around in a bag, filling out a form);
- cuts hair;
- runs his hands over the comb, etc.
There are quite a lot of examples of certain sounds or actions that cause brainasm - you can familiarize yourself with them in various collections of ASMR videos and, if you're lucky, find your personal trigger.
If you're lucky, you'll find your ASMR trigger
Fans of ASMR videos - people who are able to experience the so-called brain orgasm - experience a different range of sensations - from slight relaxation to complete happiness. However, not everyone can enjoy these unusual sensations - some people are not attracted to watching ASMR videos. There can be several reasons: an inappropriate environment (background noise, discomfort, etc.), an inappropriate trigger, or a complete inability to experience brainasm.
The fact is that insufficient knowledge of the ASMR phenomenon (even the term was introduced quite recently) does not allow us to draw any definite conclusions about the differences between people who are able to experience brainasm and people who do not know this sensation.
Thanks to the Internet, ASMR-sensitive people can find each other and unite in so-called communities of interest. For some people, ASMR videos really help them relax, fall asleep, get rid of anxiety, and simply experience pleasant non-sexual sensations.
What does science think about ASMR?
Since it was possible to characterize the phenomenon of ASMR relatively recently, interest in the phenomenon of brainasm is at a growing stage. Scientists are only planning to conduct research to study the characteristics of the brains of people who are and are not able to experience ASMR.
Alexander Ryumin, a psychiatrist-psychotherapist from Tallinn, believes that ASMR videos have an effect on people who lack friendship, warmth, attention, as well as people subject to constant stress. He compares the state of a person under the influence of an ASMR video with the state of a person put into a trance. The psychiatrist suggests that these types of videos do not affect healthy, mentally stable people.
Comparing the effect of an ASMR video with a hypnotic one, the specialist fears that the video influence on a person, not controlled by a specialist, may have unexpected consequences. Thus, Alexander Ryumin is afraid that the authors of the videos may resort to neurolinguistic programming techniques and influence the psyche of vulnerable people.
However, at this stage, this information has not been confirmed, and the number of ASMR video fans is growing, thereby attracting the interest of the scientific community and once again proving that human brain- a mysterious and insufficiently studied thing.
The fast pace of life and a lot of information provided by the Internet, as well as high standards and demands from the surrounding reality - all this affects the psychological state of a person, driving him into a stressful situation. In such situations, it is difficult to find a remedy that will help relieve tension.
Lonely people, feeling unhappy in the embrace of big cities, strive to find at least some way that will allow them not to get lost and to stay afloat. Therefore, a movement called “ASMR” spontaneously arose on the Internet. As a result, in 4 years we managed to gather several million followers all over the world. But still not all users fully understand what ASMR is.
When touching on the topic of ASMR, one cannot fail to mention artists. Recently, the number of video bloggers who specialize in this area has increased significantly. In fact, an interesting fact is that the audience consists of half of both female and male representatives. Therefore, the reason should be sought in culture.
Decoding and features of ASMR
ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. The meaning has a simpler decoding than the concept itself. So, ASMR is the brain's response to certain sensory stimuli. The effect is subjective, but generally speaking, it is a feeling of a certain experience of special pleasure with a sensation of goosebumps and tingling throughout the body.
The feeling of pleasure in ASMR is expressed so vividly that it is sometimes called “braingasm,” despite the fact that it has nothing to do with sexual experiences.
Main types of ASMR
So, classic ASMR, what on English sounds like “autonomous sensory meridian response”, it is considered to be a feeling of pleasant goosebumps that usually arise in the back of the head and spread in waves throughout the body. At the same time, the person who experiences such a feeling improves his mood, and the manifestation of stress is noticeably reduced.
Some people experience ASMR solely from external stimuli. However, for others it is the ability to tune in and focus in order to independently cause a similar reaction to occur. According to numerous claims, the ASMR experience has nothing to do with sexual arousal.
The most interesting thing is that not all people are destined to experience ASMR. There are those for whom trigger sounds and actions remain indifferent and, conversely, who remain indifferent to them.
Basic groups of triggers
As a rule, triggers are divided into several groups:
- The main group is ASMR whispering or soft speech, rustling and crunching of paper, crackling of plastic, “wet” and “sticky” sounds.
- Visual impressions - movements repeated in a meditative manner, the play of light and shadows, as well as touching the skin and hair.
- Complex impressions, the basis of which are circumstances where the individual is in the very center of attention and increased care. The effect of ASMR pleasure is generated by the situation of a ritual - a mysterious action is played out before the eyes of the viewer.
It is important to note that not all triggers have the same immediate impact on sensitive people. Some people prefer a quiet voice and like tapping, while others like playing with a feather.
The concept of “braingasm” and its features
If a viewer watches an ASMR video for the first time, it will seem a little strange and quite incomprehensible to him. At the same time, he may feel awkward. It really looks unusual from the outside when actions take place on the screen that are difficult to describe in ordinary human language.
The rustling of paper, speaking in a calm tone, tapping fingers, touching hair - everything reveals the concept of what ASMR is, that is, triggers. They are the ones who contribute to the feeling of experience and excitement. You can watch this kind of video in any language, since speech is not particularly important during the ritual. The main thing is that it be quiet and slow.
As a rule, triggers are triggered individually, but if you often use the same visual stimulus, then sensitivity gradually disappears. They are divided into sensory, which affect the human senses, and social, that is, role-playing games, where the main link is a feeling of care and empathy.
What are ASMR experiences: feedback from participants
Proponents of this kind of pleasure unanimously argue that such sensitivity cannot be discovered within a person. There are either sensations or they are not there at all. Therefore, according to the statements of ASMR-sensitive people, the epicenter of sensations is the back of the head, namely, it is located deep in the brain.
Despite the fact that there are no receptors in this area, scientists say that tickling and weak pulsation begin at this point, which subsequently turns into pleasant sensations in the form of thermal tension. In comparison, this phenomenon is noticeable with a warm palm on the back of the head, which massages the person’s brain with smooth movements.
Features of ASMR: what should you avoid?
If a person really seriously decides to engage in such a practice, it is definitely recommended to study some of the pitfalls that may come across on his way. Firstly, not everyone who starts making ASMR videos is considered a professional in their field. Some videos look so ridiculous that they break the understanding of the basic concepts of ASMR in general.
Secondly, not all network users are honest, so some bloggers who have succeeded in NLP try to put viewers into a trance using hypnosis techniques.
Well, and thirdly, some people this type art may seem inappropriate, irritating and, in some ways, intimidating. In such situations, it is advisable to simply not watch the video to the end and find another way to relax.
Why do people love to listen to someone's whisper?
It is generally accepted that watching such videos prevents insomnia and also helps overcome mental and physical stress. Despite the number of ways that can help you feel completely relaxed, some people are not fully aware of what ASMR is, claiming that such sensory input can affect brain function. And this can subsequently lead to hallucinations and cause delusions. However, such negative arguments have not yet been confirmed by experts.
Psychologists still managed to determine what lies behind the psychological attractiveness of the ASMR phenomenon. As a rule, modern world is full of stressful situations, and people daily realize that they are alienated and unnecessary to anyone. All this leads to the fact that each person strives to find his own way to relax and hide from everyday problems for a while. After all, today there are methods thanks to which you can feel loved and truly the right person without entering into close relationships.
In this case, ASMR is what is so necessary for most people. Calm monotonous speech, affecting a person’s consciousness, like superficial hypnosis, leads to relaxation, which brings quite pleasant sensations. According to numerous opinions, ASMR is not harmful from a physical point of view, but there are strong reasons to argue that this attraction contributes to the isolation of people from each other.
In conclusion
Experienced people in this matter advise watching ASMR videos in a quiet and comfortable place, preferably while lying down and before going to bed. To protect yourself from extraneous sounds and fully concentrate on listening, it is recommended to use headphones. It should also be noted that frequent involvement in ASMR over a long period of time can lead to impairment. nervous system person. Therefore, at the slightest feeling of discomfort, the session should be stopped immediately.
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With the development of globalization, the blurring of available information and the increased amount of stress, each of us is forced to deal with it. There are many ways to combat stress and calm yourself, gain relaxation and enter a peaceful state. One of the rapidly gaining popularity methods of getting rid of internal tension is ASMR. So, let's figure out what ASMR is and why this phenomenon is rapidly gaining momentum all over the world.
This phenomenon is a specific reaction of the body to surrounding sounds and visual stimuli (rather, they calmed down).
Examples of such sounds: rustling of various films and gloves, quiet singing, whispering, tapping on various objects, role-playing games (for example, at a doctor’s or in a beauty salon). All these imitations of real or fantastic events are designed to immerse a person in a relaxing atmosphere, as if the situation is actually happening.
A person hears sounds that belong to a particular situation, relaxes and falls asleep sweetly. Of course, if this is an ASMR-sensitive person. What is ASMR sensitivity? - this is the presence of that very reaction to sounds that makes you relax and get sensations very similar to a slight tickling in the brain)
The therapeutic effect of ASMR and withdrawal from sleeping pills
Many people who came to ASMR had problems with a constant feeling of tension and fear; the stress present in their lives and the inability to get rid of it brought them to ASMR. Also, many of them could not sleep due to headaches, which is what ASMR helps with. There are cases when a person refused sleeping pills because there was no longer a need for them - after listening to ASMR, he fell asleep easily and sweetly.
What are triggers and what are they?
Triggers are sounds that cause pleasant and relaxing sensations and there are a myriad of them, here are the main ones.
- Rustling - rustling of cellophane, gloves, washcloths and even slimes;
- Tapping on objects (wooden objects, glass, typing on a keyboard);
- Sounds of rain and water;
- Voice sounds - whisper, unintelligible whisper, calm conversation;
- Reading books and sounds of turning pages;
- Sounds of ear massage, brushes stroking the face and ears;
- Smooth hand movements;
- and even the sounds of your mouth, chewing, slurping and chewing your ears)
Write down what your favorite triggers are.
Top 5 Best ASMR Channels on YouTube for Total Relaxation
Write your favorite ASMR teachers.